Promoting the use of biopesticides

It is, indeed, good news that the use of biopesticide has been on the rise in the country, thanks to the growing popularity of organic food and increasing health consciousness. The enhanced use of biopesticide in producing food grains, fruits, and vegetables could be a real game-changer in cutting the dependence on chemical pesticides with regards to controlling pests. To popularize the pro-health pesticide and do good business, many local firms along with rival multinational brands have come forward to grab the potential pesticide market. With the swelling income levels and subsequent change in food habits of a section of well off population, choices for organic food in their plates have contributed to the rise in biological pesticide use, fueling income growth of traditional biopesticide producers in rural areas also.

According to a report published in this daily on Thursday, the use of biopesticide is increasing with 15 per cent of annual growth riding on rising health awareness and the effectiveness of a safe food campaign and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) project. Local manufacturers are meeting nearly 50 per cent of the market demand while the agents of several multinational companies supply the rest. The use of chemical pesticides has been gradually declining in the country in the last several years. Data of the Department of Agriculture Extension showed that Bangladesh used 37,422MT of chemical pesticides in the last FY, compared to 42,240.56MT in 2010. Biological pesticides play a significant role in reducing the risk of chemical pesticide resistance, preservation of biodiversity and non-target species and improving the safety of workers. The significant growth in the agriculture sector and the increasing adoption of organic farming practices represent the key factors driving the market’s growth.

Since independence and over the years, pesticides have become a dominant feature of Bangladesh agriculture. To protect farmers’ health, environment and to improve the sustainability of chemical pest control, quantitative understanding of farmers’ behavior in pesticide use is critical. Crop protection products, particularly the use of pesticides against pests are one of several factors that are contributing to the huge growth in agricultural production. Pesticides are widely used modern agricultural production due to their high capability and trustworthiness for crop protection against pests. Farmers in Bangladesh usually have little knowledge on the proper handling of pesticides, and as a result, do not normally handle the products according to best agricultural practices. Researchers have shown that the annual incidence rates of acute pesticide poisoning among agricultural workers to be as much as 18 per 100,000 full-time workers. While mixing, loading, or applying pesticides or through contact with treated crops during field re-entry, human and environmental exposure to pesticides can lead to serious health ailments.

Business insiders identified the lengthy registration process as the main challenge in the sector and the lack of consciousness as a significant obstacle. They also cited the lack of policy support as a big challenge. Biopesticides available in the market are costlier than chemical pesticides, states the published report.

Under the given situation, we urge the government to take up a holistic approach to promote the use of biopesticide and back their marketing companies with fiscal and policy supports. Non-government-organizations also can come up with publicity campaigns on health hazards owing to the use of chemical pesticides. Enhanced use of biopesticides will certainly lessen the reliance on imported chemical pesticides and help both farmers and the growth of organic food industry, much to the relief of consumers. In this regard, fiscal benefits in the form of subsidies can be a booster to increase the use of environment-friendly pesticides.

The agriculture ministry should come forward to implement the necessities with the financial help from the budgetary allocation in this regard.